President Obama hugged Donna Vanzant, the owner of New Jersey's North Point Marina when he visited the state last month. (Official White House Photo: Pete Souza)

President Obama will visit New York City on Thursday to survey the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in October. He'll also meet with residents whose lives have been ravaged by the storm and the first responders who, the White House says, "risked their lives to protect their communities."

Obama had planned a tour of New York in the immediate aftermath of the storm, but New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg rebuffed the idea. The logistics of a presidential visit would have escalated an already chaotic situation. The storm, which some consider a symptom of climate change, however, also led the mayor to later endorse Obama, whom he said would show greater leadership on a critical issue that many Republicans deny even exists.

The president limited his October visit to New Jersey, making headlines for the praise the state's Republican Gov. Chris Christie heaped on him for his rapid response to Sandy and offer of sorely needed government resources to aid the victims.

He will be accompanied by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Bloomberg.

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